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PHOENIX — Incoming Gov. Jan Brewer is staying tight-lipped about what kinds of policies she'll embrace once she replaces Gov. Janet Napolitano.

Answering questions from reporters Thursday, Brewer did not commit to continuing the policies of Napolitano, who is set to resign from office with a roughly 76 percent approval rating. But the Republican is not willing to say she'll change Napolitano's policies, either.

After a private meeting with Napolitano, Secretary of State Brewer did say the "cordial" discussion in the Governor's Office was the beginning of what she hopes will be a "smooth and seamless" gubernatorial transition.

But when it comes to policy and staff changes at state agencies, Brewer refused to get specific.

"I'm not on a mission to go in and do an across-the-board procedure of removing everyone from office," Brewer said. "Certainly I want people who will be good for Arizona. People that will work with me. People that can find solutions, because we are in a situation in Arizona that is not real promising at this time."

Napolitano, who would not answer questions from the press after her meeting with Brewer, has been selected by President-elect Barack Obama to be secretary of homeland security. Pending her confirmation by the U.S. Senate, Napolitano, a Democrat, is expected to resign in January, at which time Brewer, a Republican, will be sworn in as the new governor.

Asked if she had a mandate for Republican policies given that Napolitano was re-elected in 2006 with 63 percent of the vote, Brewer said: "Certainly this is not the best way to ascend to the seat of the governor of the state of Arizona.

"It probably would been much nicer to have been elected by the people," she said.

Brewer, who has previously endorsed the idea of having an elected position called lieutenant governor so that voters would better understand the succession of power, added, "I'm ready to step up and do my job as called for by the constitution and will work hard — I will work very hard — to serve the people to the best of my capabilities."

Even though Democrats have been unhappy with the idea of Brewer becoming governor — because it will give Republicans control of state government — Napolitano seemed comfortable with the concept.

During a press conference Monday, Napolitano said, "I have confidence in the leadership that will follow me, and I have confidence in Arizona."

For her part, Brewer passed on an opportunity to criticize Napolitano for staying until her Senate confirmation, during which time she will submit a state budget proposal and deliver a State of the State address. Some Republicans called on Napolitano to resign immediately.

"She is the governor," Brewer said. "It is her responsibility. She has not been confirmed by the Senate, and so that is her job until she leaves."

Two former aides to Gov. Fife Symington are leading Brewer's transition, and the team is setting up an office in the state Capitol in anticipation of what is likely to be a January change-over.

"I really appreciate her generosity of time — I know she's very busy as we are very busy," Brewer said of Napolitano's involvement. "We will continue our communications between this office and her office."